Construction of a one storey building is underway in Yesma Negus, a small neighbourhood located in South Wollo Zone 60 kilometres north of the zonal capital Dessie town (460 km from Addis Ababa). The main gate to the premises of the building bears the phrase Article 17, written in Geez alphabet.
Article 17 is one of the 21 Articles in the famous historical Wuchale Treaty, an agreement signed between Ethiopia and Italy on May 1889. As Article 17 showed a discrepancy in the Amharic and Italian version, Ethiopia and Italy went to war which culminated in the Victory of Adwa in 1896. The victory of Adwa is famous throughout the world for its historical significance as the first victory of blacks against white occupational forces.
But not much has been told about the specific place where the controversial agreement was signed. Yesma Negus is the place where the controversial Wuchale Treaty between Ethiopia and Italy was signed in May 1889.
The new building will serve as a memorial museum for this historical treaty and place, according to South Wollo Zone Culture and Tourism Office head Suleiman Eshetu. The state administration allocated 27 million for the construction of the museum has now reached over 70 per cent and expected to complete up to January 2020,
Suleiman told The Ethiopian Herald that although Yesma Negus is a historic place, it has not received the right level of attention that it deserves until recent years. No memorial object also existed there. Hence, construction of the museum is part of the activity to emphasize the historic place to keep its historic significance for the future generation. After the completion of the museum, there is a plan to erect a statue to commemorate terms of the treaty.
The museum is designed to show the spirit and unity of Ethiopians during the Battle of Adwa. It will contain heritages that are linked with the treaty, record of diplomatic activities that preceded the Battle of Adwa, a centre of research for historians and other memorial issues and gallery centres.
“The general construction of the two years project, which includes modern Cafeteria, main gate with unique design has reached over 70 per cent. The remaining part is finishing work which is expected to be completed up to January 2020. Collecting and gathering historic heritages will also begin on September 2019 as a committee is established for that purpose” Suleiman said.
According to Suleiman within the compound of the museum, it has a modern Cafeteria with restaurant and recreational centres and the Cafeteria is under construction on the view of the smart landscape of chained Ambassel Mountains (Ambasel meaning honey mountains). The Cafeteria is expected to complete before the completion of the museum.
Parallel with the construction of the museum and its compound, the office with Amhara State Culture and Tourism Bureau is working to start collecting historic heritages, books, letters and documents from different sources. He said that “since the construction is expected to be complete until January 2020, there is a plan at least to gather the common documents and books for the inauguration of the building”.
Heritage Research and Conservation Acting Director with Amhara State Culture and Tourism Bureau Lake Andargie on his part told The Ethiopian Herald that architectural experts of the bureau are following the construction of the museum and its construction is expected to complete until January according to the current schedule.
Lake said that collecting historical heritages for the museum will start soon by mobilizing the society based on Heritage Collection Guide from the society, government and private institutions, elders and donors.
According to Lake there are a lot of historic documents, books, diplomatic letters and different heritages on the hands of different institutions and persons. Hence, the mobilization to collect these heritages will start soon and the society is committed as many heritages are promised since the commencement of construction of the museum.
Also, following the completion of the museum further tourist destination developments are the next plans mainly to keep the historic significance of the place and to attract more tourists.
Wollo is well known for its culture of religious tolerance. It is also hometo many historical heritages like the Lalibella Rock-Hewn Churches. It is also the origin of Ethiopian Musical Scales of Anchihoye, Ambassel, Tizita and Bati. This makes it rich in tourist attraction places of the country.
South Wollo, in particular, is also rich in tourist destinations where the true cross is found in Gishen Monastery, four lakes, the eye-catching Ambassel Mountain chains, the Wuchale town, the Hayk Estifanos Monastery with its eye-catching lake are few among the tourism destinations of the zone, the office head noted.
Suleiman finally called on investors to invest in the area in Wuchale town and Yesma Negus in Service investment like hotels and lodges. He added that especially for those who want to invest in lodge construction, all necessary preconditions and land is prepared on this historic place.
The Ethiopian Herald August 31, 2019
BY DARGIE KAHSAY
